Handbook of Home Rule eBook

of Canada in relation to all matters not within the
jurisdiction of the provincial Legislatures, although
such matters may not be specially mentioned.”
In effect, therefore, the difference between the Irish
Bill and the Canadian Act is one of expression and
not of substance, and, although the Bill is more accurate
in its form, it would scarcely be worth while to insist
on legislating by exception instead of by enumeration
if, by the substitution of the latter form for the
former, any material opposition would be conciliated.

What, then, are the conclusions intended to be drawn
from the foregoing premises?

1. That coercion is played out, and can no longer
be regarded as a remedy for the evils of Irish misrule.

2. That some alternative must be found, and that
the only alternative within the range of practical
politics is some form of Home Rule.

3. That there is no reason for thinking that
the grant of Home Rule to Ireland—­a member
only, and not one of the most important members, of
the British Empire—­will in any way dismember,
or even in the slightest degree risk the dismemberment
of the Empire.

4. That Home Rule presupposes and admits the
supremacy of the British Parliament.

5. That theory is in favour of Home Rule, as
the nationality of Ireland is distinct, and justifies
a desire for local independence; while the establishment
of Home Rule is a necessary condition to the effectual
removal of agrarian disturbances in Ireland.

6. That precedent is in favour of granting Home
Rule to Ireland—­e.g. the success
of the new Constitution in Austria-Hungary, and the
happy effects resulting from the establishment of
the Dominion of Canada.

7. That the particular form of Home Rule granted
is comparatively immaterial.

8. That the Home Rule Bill of 1886 may readily
be amended in such a manner as to satisfy all real
and unpartisan objectors.

9. That the Land Bill of 1886 is the best that
has ever been devised, having regard to the advantages
offered to the new Irish Government, the landlord,
and the tenant.

[Footnote 67: The Emperor of Austria is the head
of the empire, with the title of King in Hungary.
Austria-Hungary is treated as a federal, not as an
imperial union, on the ground that Austria was never
rightfully a dominant community over Hungary.]